RVers gathered in southeast Arizona for FMCA’s spring party.
By Robbin Gould, Editor | Photos By FMCA Staff
June 2024
The night was clear, and a slight chill hung in the air. At the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona, spectators gathered along the streets to view their compatriots walking and riding in FMCA’s “La Puesta Del Sol” Parade — a kaleidoscope of costumes, decorated golf carts, even a color guard. The procession concluded at the Kleen Tank Town Center for the “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down” Chapterfest, where folks mingled for one final get-together.
The strains of traditional Mexican folk music soon flowed from the stage as Mariachi Nuevo Azteca performed classic instrumentals and Spanish vocals. And like other nights that week, the setting sun produced a breathtaking array of colors. What a perfect way to conclude FMCA’s “Fiesta Del Sol” convention!
That evening’s events were just some of the highlights from FMCA’s 108th International Convention & RV Expo, held March 20 through 23, 2024. Spring in Tucson . . . what could be better?
According to convention reports, the total RV count for the “Fiesta Del Sol” event was 1,128 (940 family RVs and 188 commercial RVs), plus an additional 50 Passport registrations. First-time attendees made up 35.4 percent of the crowd.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our first rally. It definitely won’t be our last,” said Sarah Mitchell, who attended the convention with her husband, Mitch. “From the moment we entered the fairgrounds and were expertly parked to the seminars and entertainment, everything was very well organized, and we were made to feel welcome by everyone we met.”
Regardless of attendees’ level of RV knowledge and awareness of what an FMCA convention entails, folks dove right in to experience it all.
SHOPPING
Inside the bustling Old Pueblo Conference Center, which housed indoor exhibits, company representatives welcomed attendees to supplier and component booths. Outdoors, myriad RV models and more supplier exhibits filled the display area. Approximately 200 companies participated in the RV Expo; 15 of them further enhanced attendees’ convention experience through sponsorships. We thank them for their generosity.
LEARNING
The 100 or so seminar sessions covered everything from soup to nuts . . . well, actually, such topics as suspensions and solar, microwave cooking and RV caravans, full-timing and boondocking. Crafts sessions and association business were on the docket also.
Those gathered for FMCA’s Supersized Book Club met best-selling author Anne Hillerman, who has carried on the writing tradition of her late father, Tony Hillerman, with mystery novels grounded in the Native American cultures of the desert Southwest.
PLAYING
Attendees took advantage of many friendly competitions, including card bingo, trivia, ladder ball and bean bag toss tournaments, the “Great Hat-A-Tude Contest” for the ladies (best themed hats), and the “FMCA Whisker Games” competition for the gents (best beard, mustache, and goatee). FMCA’s Youth Committee organized activities for families, including a youth-versus-adult kickball tourney.
Pickleball fans made frequent use of several courts that were set up for open play, and instructional sessions for beginners were presented by Bill and Deborah Knopp from FMCA’s West Valley AZ Pickleball chapter. Attendees also took part in early-morning stretching sessions and evening karaoke, as well as nighttime stargazing led by members of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association.
Playing of a different sort — music making — entertained crowds throughout the week. FMCA’s own Frustrated Maestros musicians performed at morning coffee hour and during the Ice Cream Social. Some of Tucson’s best musicians and singers took to the stage at other times and showed their specialties in the areas of Motown, classic rock, pop, country, dance hits, folk, Latin music, and more. Comedian Mark Cordes and crooner Pete DeJesse rounded out the entertainment schedule.
SOCIALIZING
Before the convention officially began, those who were already parked were invited to grab some food and drink and hang out at the “Welcome To Tucson” Party, an indoor-outdoor gathering with live music, karaoke, and games.
Members looking to find an FMCA chapter in their geographical region or area of interest had a chance to meet dozens of groups at the Chapter Fair. Many chapters furthered the discussions by welcoming guests to hang out with them during the Chapter Block Party later in the week.
GIVING
Through FMCA’s “Driven To Care” initiative, Tucson attendees had fun and raised funds for the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona. Plenty of onlookers perused and bid on the 39 baskets, boxes, and themed collections of items that members and chapters had donated for the Silent Auction. Convention-goers also enjoyed an early-morning jaunt around the fairgrounds during the Magic Mile Fun Run/Walk; their registration fees for this event were earmarked for the cause. Thanks to members’ generosity, $8,059.50 was raised for the Candlelighters. The organization also received dozens of handmade quilts created by FMCA’s On-Road Quilters group and the On The Road Stitchers chapter.
VOLUNTEERING
Hundreds of attendees logged time in various areas during the convention: parking, safety, security, seminars, trams, utilities, information, coffee hour, activity carts, and more. FMCA conventions are a community effort, and we thank all who volunteered.
Jim and Marcia Dowler assisted with coffee hour at FMCA’s 2022 Tucson convention and returned to their coffee hour posts in 2024. What did they get out of their convention experiences? “First and foremost, fellowship,” Jim noted. “Lots of good memories of the many people that we met. We have found that the RV crowd is generally a quality group of people to associate with. Hopefully, our paths will cross with some of them somewhere down the road.”
PLANNING
The next opportunity to attend an FMCA Convention & RV Expo will be the “Adventure Peaks” event, August 14 through 17, 2024, at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon. To register, visit FMCA.com or call (800) 543-3622. The registration form appears on page 43 of this issue.